The Council of Lower Saucon Township hereby
recognizes that the growth of a variety of vegetation within the Township
boundaries promotes diversity and enriches the quality of life for
all Township residents. However, the Council also recognizes that
the reasonable regulation of the growth of such vegetation will protect
the public health, safety, and welfare and also protect the property
rights of all residents of the Township. Therefore, it is the intent
of this chapter to encourage the use of wildflower and other native
plants while at the same time ensuring that such vegetative growth
does not become a threat to the public health, safety and welfare.
This chapter may be known and cited as the "Lower
Saucon Township Weed and Visual Obstruction Ordinance."
[Amended 12-17-2008 by Ord. No. 2008-11]
No person, firm, corporation, partnership, or other legal entity owning or occupying any property within the Township of Lower Saucon shall permit any grass, weeds, or other uncultivated herbaceous vegetation, to grow or remain upon such property at a height in excess of 12 inches within 25 feet of any property line or roadway. The growth of any such vegetation within the Township of Lower Saucon in violation of the provisions of this chapter is hereby declared to be a nuisance and detrimental to the health, safety and welfare of the Township and its residents. The prohibitions contained in this chapter shall not be applicable to any stormwater facilities where such prohibitions would be detrimental to the proper functioning of said facilities, nor shall the same prohibitions be applicable within the boundaries of any riparian corridor as such areas are defined within Chapter
180, Zoning, of the Code of Lower Saucon Township; this restriction shall not apply to forest lands and tree lines.
The owner or occupant of any vacant or occupied
property located within the Township of Lower Saucon shall be responsible
for removing, maintaining, and cutting all grass, weeds, or other
uncultivated vegetation located on said property which violates the
provisions of this chapter, including but not limited to cutting or
removing such grass, weeds, or other uncultivated vegetation within
one month prior or subsequent to May 1 and October 1 of each year.
It shall be the duty of the Chief of Police
or the Zoning Officer of the Township of Lower Saucon to give notice
by personal service or United States Mail to the owner or occupant,
as the case may be, of any premises whereon grass, weeds or other
uncultivated vegetation of any kind is growing or remaining in violation
of any provisions of this chapter, directing and requiring such owner
or occupant to undertake and remove, trim or cut or abate or cause
to be abated or removed any such vegetation, so as to conform to the
requirements of this chapter within 10 days after issuance of such
notice.
In case any person, firm, corporation, partnership
or other legal entity shall neglect, fail to refuse to comply with
such notice within the period of time stated therein and remain in
violation of the provisions of this chapter, the Township authorities
may remove, trim or cut said vegetation in violation of this chapter,
and the cost thereof, together with any additional penalty authorized
by the law, may be collected by the Township from said owner or occupant
in the manner as provided by law.
[Amended 3-3-2021 by Ord.
No. 2021-01]
The provisions of this chapter shall be enforced
by action brought before a Magisterial District Judge in the same
manner provided for the enforcement of summary offenses under the
Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure. Any person who violates
or permits the violation of this chapter shall upon conviction in
a summary proceeding, be punishable by a fine of not more than $1,000.
Each day or portion thereof that such violation continues or is permitted
to continue shall constitute a separate offense. Each section of this
chapter that is violated shall also constitute a separate offense.